Department for Forensic Chemistry and Biology

Department for forensic Chemistry and Biology is organized in three Divisions (Laboratories):

1. DNA/Serology Division
2. Division for chemical analysis of Narcotics and
3. Division for analysis of Explosives, Arson and Gunpowder Particles

Director of the Department for forensic Chemistry and Biology is

Sokol Dedaj

Tel: 045 916 691
Centrex: 038 200 76 322
Email: sokol.dedaj@rks-gov.net
Address: St. 12 Qershori nr.101

10 000 Pristine

DNA/ SEROLOGY DIVISION

Activities

In the DNA/ Serology Division are being performed Serology and DNA analysis

In the field of Serology are being performed the following analysis:

1. Serology analysis of the blood, using:

• KM test (Kastle Meyer test), as preliminary test for blood identification and

1. Serology analysis of the semen, using:

• AP test (Acid Phosphatase test), as preliminary test for semen identification,
• Microscopic examination of the spermatozoa, as confirmatory test for identification of spermatozoa

(microscopic slides preparation and microscopic observation for identification of spermatozoa)

• PSA test (Prostatic specific antigen test), as preliminary test for semen identification.

In the field of DNA are being performed the following analysis:

1. DNA analysis from blood
2. DNA analysis from saliva
3. DNA analysis from semen
4. DNA analysis from hairs and tissues
5. DNA analysis from teeth and bones and
6. Contact DNA (sweat and epithelial cells)

All those DNA analysis are being performed using different extraction methods based on the following standard operating procedures:

After the DNA extraction phase, there are there additional phases of DNA analysis as follows: DNA quantification (determination of the DNA amount), amplification and capillary electrophoresis of DNA using the following standard operating procedures:

Note: Based on DNA expertise, the DNA profile is obtained from the crime scene stain and after the comparison with the victim or suspect, exactly can be identified the contributor of the crime scene stain.

Furthermore in DNA Laboratory are being performed Paternity Tests, where the paternity of the child is ascertained.

DNA Laboratory also possess DNA database CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) where all DNA profiles are stored and searched for any eventual match with previous cases.

Personnel

In DNA/ Serology division are working four (4) persons: Chief of division and three (3) certified experts with  university degree (Biologists) which have been trained from international experts (USA) for DNA and serology analysis.

Note:

• DNA/Serology division has three accredited methods according to international standard ISO: 17025, the other methods of expertise are in the process of accreditation.

• Experts of DNA/serology division take part and represent the division in ENFSI DNA working groups and other national and international professional organizations and associations.

• All experts from the DNA/Serology division are tested and certified annually through participation in international proficiency tests from USA which are organized and coordinated by Quality Division.

DIVISION (LABORATORY) FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF NARCOTICS

Activities: 

Division (Laboratory) for chemical analysis of Narcotics done analyses and identification of dangerous narcotiks, psycotropic substances and precursor to all forms: herbal substance, powder substance, solid substance, likuide substance, tablets and capsule ect, which seized the investigative units of the Kosovo Police and other relevant law enforcement.

Analysis and identification of dangerous narcotics, psychotropic substances and precursors made using different analytical methods based on standard operating procedures as follows:

1. Stereo Microscopic Examination (Visual); SMZ 168.
2. Thin Layer Chromatographic Examination (TLC).
3. Modified Duquenois – Levine Examination.
4. Color Tests –  Marquis.
5. Color Tests Cobalt Thiocyanate.
6. Color Tests Sodium Nitroprusside.
7.  Color Tests Bates Examination.
8. Color Tests –Liebermann’s
9. Tablet and capsule identification procedure.
10. GC- Analysis flame Ionization Detector – Gas Cromatograf, Agilent FID.
11. GC MS General Method for Drug Analysis Gas  Cromatograf, Agilent 6890 N and Mase Detector : 5973 Inert.

Using the aforementioned methods correctly is conducted qualitative analysis, identification and reporting of the composition of the content of the testimonies that are the subject of requests for expert analysis by comparing the results of the samples from the crime scene with samples of reference certified by the manufacturer credible to world level .

Staff:

In division for chemical analysis employed narcotics are two (2) persons: Head of Division and one (1) experts with university professional high- Graduate biologist / chemist graduate, trained and certified by international experts (US) for performing the analysis and identification of dangerous narcotics, psychotropic substances and precursors.

Others:

• Division (Laboratory) for chemical analysis of narcotics has nine (9) analytical methods accredited according to international standard ISO: 17025.

• Division (Laboratory) for chemical analysis of narcotics, respectively experts of this division represent the Division and participate in working groups to ENFSI, organizations and associations, other professional (in the field) to national and international such as UNODC, EMCDDA, SWDRUG, etc.

•  All experts of this division including the director of the department tested and certified on an annual basis in the specific field of expertise through participation in proficiency testing which are organized and coordinated by the Office of quality and professional company of CTS (Collaborative Testing Services ), US and proficiency testing organized by UNODC with headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

DIVISION (LABORATORY) FOR ANALYSIS OF EXPLOSIVES, ARSON AND GUNPOWDER PARTICLES

Activities:

Division (laboratory) for analysis of Explosives, Arson and Gunpowder Particle is a new division in the consolidation process within the Department of Chemistry and Biology Forensic and in the framework of his activity carried out testing of explosives and explosive devices ( non-erupted and after explosion ) , analysis of  initiated substances for fire and waste analysis after the fire in order to identify the initiators and cause of fires and also analysis of gunpowder residue particles after shooting (firing) with firearms. 

Division (laboratory) has developed and validated some of the methods by which has started with expertise of cases since 2014 for gunpowder residue after firing with firearms and explosives analysis by 2015.

Division (laboratory) is in the process of creation and validation of other new methods, to cover the scope of the division as: for the analysis of organic explosives entirely, inorganic explosives , pyrotechnics staff , waste from capsule after firing gun ( GSR ) , chemical analysis of residues from fires etc.

So far this division has developed and validated those analytical methods:

1. Analysis for identification of nitroglycerine (NG) and Nitrocellulose (NC) in gunpowder (fuel propulsion) after shooting with firearms.
2. Analysis for the identification of nitrite and nitrate in gunpowder ( fuel propulsion ) after shooting with firearms
3. Analysis for the identification of organic explosives (TNT, RDX, HMX, TETRYL, NG and PETN) before and after the explosion.

Staff:

At the explosives division for analysis, arson and gunpowder particles are employed two persons: Head of Division and one experts with high university degree in chemistry field, trained and certified to perform the field of forensic expertise developing and continuously validate new procedures and methods of analysis which are the subject and the field operations of this division.

All methods and procedures developed are consistent and meet the criteria and higher international standards.

Other:

• Division (laboratory) for analysis of explosives, arson and Gunpowder particles is in the process of harmonization and accreditation of methods and procedures according to international standard ISO: 17025.

• Division (laboratory) for analysis of explosives, arson and Gunpowder Particle respectively experts of this division represent the division and participate in working groups of ENFSI – t as:

– Working Group of Experts on Explosives (WG -FINEX)

– Working Group of Experts on the residue of capsule (WG – GSR)

– Working Group of Experts for arson (WG – FIRE)

• In order to meet the requirements of courts , prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in the Republic of Kosovo in order to achieve the level of quality as high expertise forensic and accreditation according to the international standard for quality ISO 17025 all experts of this division tested and certified annually in the specific field of expertise by participating in internal proficiency tests that are organized and coordinated by the office of quality, and joint tests organized by the ENFSI laboratorie